Cat & Nat Unfiltered

Latest Episodes:

When Did Kids' Sports Become a Full-Time Job? Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Are year-round sports making our kids stronger? We are talking about the wild world of competitive youth sports—from 5 a.m. hockey practices and travel teams to reclassing kids for a competitive edge and wondering when enough is enough. We unpack the pressure parents feel to keep up, whether kids are chasing their own dreams or ours, and what happens when sports become less about fun and more about the pursuit of "what if." We are talking about the wild world of competitive youth sports—from 5 a.m. hockey practices and travel teams to reclassing kids for a competitive edge and wondering when enough is enough. We unpack the pressure parents feel to keep up, whether kids are chasing their own dreams or ours, and what happens when sports become less about fun and more about the pursuit of "what if."

Keywords

youth sports, parenting, school sports, hockey, reclassing, hobbies, childhood development, Canadian vs American sports systems

Key topics

Youth sports and early specialization
Differences between Canadian and American school sports systems
Reclassing in grades 6-8 for sports development
The impact of travel teams and club sports
Parenting choices and children's autonomy in sports and hobbies

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Midlife is When You Stop Pretending Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

In this repeat episode we are talking all about midlife. Midlife isn't halfway to death—it's when you stop pretending. Your energy changes. Your body changes. Your parents start aging. Your kids need you in completely different ways. The things that once felt so important suddenly don't matter nearly as much. Caring for aging parents has a way of changing you. It gives you perspective, whether you were ready for it or not.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are We Helping or Are We Holding Back Our Kids? Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

We are diving into one of the biggest parenting questions of our time: are we helping our kids... or accidentally holding them back?

From making orthodontist appointments and surviving camp without a proper towel, to why jobs, sports, awkward moments, and even a little discomfort might be exactly what kids need to become capable adults, this conversation goes deep. We unpack the impact of parenting guilt, why we're so quick to rescue our kids, and how convenience, technology, and social media may be changing the way this generation grows up. We also get into the emotional development of boys, the influence of online culture, the importance of accountability, and why some of the hardest parenting moments might actually be the most important ones. If you've ever wondered whether you should step in... or step back, this episode is for you.

Because maybe the greatest gift we can give our kids isn't making life easier—it's letting them discover they can handle hard things.

Keywords

parenting teenagers, social media impact, adolescent behavior, parenting tips, youth culture, puberty, accountability, digital desensitization

Key topics

Parenting windows for boys and girls
Impact of social media and screen time
Puberty and behavioral changes
Accountability and consequences in youth
Desensitization to real-world issues
Parenting with less guilt and more resilience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If We Were Single.... Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

We are bringing you back one of your favourite Friday episodes! Remember when dating was simple? You had a crush, ran in the same friend group, maybe shared a few drinks, made out once or twice, and suddenly you were together. If you were talking to someone, you were dating them. Fast forward to today, and we genuinely have no idea what the rules are anymore. If we were single and dating a man our age (or younger), we'd still be operating by the old-school playbook. The real question is: would he be playing by the same rules?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are We Holding Our Kids Back? Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Summer is somehow half over, one of our daughters is moving away to university in six weeks...why does it feel like we’re already grieving a life that hasn’t even changed yet? What is this weird in-between stage of parenting where your kids are still home… but not really?? We’re packing for residence, cleaning out bedrooms, pretending we’re not emotional, and trying to convince ourselves that FaceTime means they’re not actually gone. If you’re sending a kid to university, wondering whether you’re supposed to be crying, or just trying to survive the emotional whiplash of parenting older teens, this one is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Failure to Launch Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

In this repeat episode we get into how parenting teens feels like uncharted territory. It doesn't get easier—it just changes. One of the hardest parts is figuring out how to help our kids launch. What used to feel like a natural step toward independence now seems to require a whole lot more from us. We love that they still want to be close, but does that closeness help them grow—or quietly hold them back? At what point do we stop holding on and start giving them a little push? And really... how much should they still be telling us?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild World of Hockey Episode 8: Why Does Hockey Feel Like the Mafia? Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

We are talking about the unspoken rules of youth hockey and sharing everything we wish we'd known before our kids started moving teams. Why do so many parents feel like they're navigating a world with rules that no one is actually willing to explain? This episode isn't just about hockey—it's about parenting. We talk about trusting your instincts, asking the uncomfortable questions, choosing coaches based on character instead of reputation, and remembering that your child's emotional well-being matters just as much as their athletic development. You are your child's biggest advocate. Don't be afraid to use your voice.

Keywords

youth sports, parenting, coaching, hockey, team selection, child development, sportsmanship, parental advocacy

Key topics

Choosing the right sports team and coach
Advocating for your child's needs and well-being
Understanding the unspoken rules and culture of youth sports
Balancing competitiveness and fun in sports
The importance of communication between parents and coaches
Recognizing and addressing toxic behaviors in sports environments
Supporting your child's development and love for the game

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer Break? For Who? Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Summer is supposed to be relaxing, so why does it feel like we're working harder than ever? We're talking about the chaos that starts the minute school ends—from packing for vacations and keeping everyone healthy, to realizing moms somehow become the family's travel coordinator, logistics manager, and nurse all at once. Because without fail, someone always gets sick. It's basically a vacation rule. So we've become those moms who pack for everything—from scrapes and little cuts to the first sign of a sore throat or cold. We'd much rather be overprepared than spend our vacation searching for a pharmacy!

Head to https://www.betadine.ca/ for the Betadine products we always throw in our suitcase to help keep the little things from becoming big vacation problems.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting Is Not for the Weak Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

In this repeat episode we talk about what defines good parenting—and how do you know if you’re actually doing it right? In those first ten years, we felt like we were getting an A+: the routines, the structure, the feeling that we were showing up and doing everything we could. Even though it was physically and mentally exhausting, there was a sense of control and purpose.

But parenting evolves as kids get older. The job shifts from managing every detail to sharing the responsibility, letting them make their own choices, and moving into more of a coaching role. Because parenting isn’t a straight path—it’s the ultimate freight train ride, and you’re just trying to hold on through every twist, turn, and unexpected stop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Midlife with a Sex Life?? Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

In this repeat episode we’re talking about desire — where it comes from, where it goes, and why it seems to change so much over the years. Has our definition of sexual desire evolved as we’ve gotten older, or did the chaos of life, parenting, and the endless mental load slowly push it to the back burner?

Nat used to be a full-on walking horndog, but somewhere between motherhood, exhaustion, and keeping everyone else alive, desire took a bit of a back seat. So we’re asking: does desire disappear when your kids are little only to come rushing back when they leave the house? Or does empty nesting shine a giant spotlight on your relationship when all the distractions are gone and there are no more excuses left?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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